40 evacuated after massive landslide in Shimla, minister's house at risk

Around 40 persons were evacuated after a massive landslide occurred near the Ram Chandra Chowk area in Shimla. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. Some of the houses below the forest road, including the one occupied by Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani and MLAs Ashish Butail and Ram Kumar, along with others, were vacated in view of threat.

The incident occurred around 10.30 pm on Monday night on the road leading from the Ram Chandra Chowk to the Housing Board Colony, Jakhu. Several trees got uprooted, bringing down mounds of debris and damaging the road. The incident triggered panic among the residents.

SDM (Urban) Devi Chand said that as a result of the incident, electricity supply to the area was disrupted. He added that the uprooted trees were removed and electricity was restored. However, the debris was not removed from the site as geologists cautioned officials not to do so as long as the rain continues.

He said that a majority of the affected families residing in the area had shifted to their relatives’ houses, while arrangements had also been made at the Panchayat Bhawan for their stay.

The SDM said that the strata of the area was fragile and cracks had developed here a few years ago. “The affected area has been kept under observation. Also, the possibility of threat to government quarters located near the site cannot be ruled out,” he added.

Bhupinder Dogra, a local resident, said that the road was developing cracks for the past few days. The Shimla Municipal Corporation had laid a tarpaulin and closed the road for vehicular movement. “Our houses are also in danger as cracks have started appearing in the area,” he added.

The residents said that the road and the retaining wall had sunk in the 2023 monsoon season and the restoration work was undertaken in 2024. However, within a year, the retaining wall collapsed again, raising questions over the quality of the restoration work. Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur visited the site to take stock of the situation.